Integrated storage system

Abstract

A storage and transportation system includes an inflatable article, a storage and transport apparatus connected to the inflatable article via a connector, the storage and transport apparatus including a closed end, an open end and a sidewall disposed substantially between the open end and the closed end, the sidewall defining a first surface and a second surface, a first cavity formed by the first surface and the closed end when the storage and transportation system is disposed in a first position and a second cavity formed by the second surface and the closed end when the storage and transportation system is disposed in a second position, and an aperture defined by the open end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage and transportation system, comprising:
 an inflatable article;   a storage and transport apparatus connected to the inflatable article via a connector, the storage and transport apparatus including a closed end, an open end and a sidewall disposed between the open end and the closed end, the sidewall defining a first surface and a second surface;   a first cavity formed by the first surface and the closed end when the storage and transportation system is disposed in a first position;   a second cavity formed by the second surface and the closed end when the storage and transportation system is disposed in a second position; and   an aperture defined by the open end, the storage and transportation system transitioning from the first position to the second position by the closed end and at least a portion of the inflatable article passing through the aperture, thereby forming the second cavity, the storage and transportation system transitioning from the second position to the first position by the closed end and at least a portion of the inflatable article passing through the aperture, thereby forming the first cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector and at least a portion of the inflatable article are disposed within the second cavity when the storage and transportation system is disposed in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces are disposed on opposite sides of the sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage and transport apparatus includes a constriction system for reducing a size of the aperture when the storage and transportation system is disposed in at least one of the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable article is an inflatable mattress. 
     
     
         6 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 5 , wherein the inflatable mattress includes one or more lateral wings, each lateral wing being disposed on a lateral side of the inflatable mattress. 
     
     
         7 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector permanently attaches the storage and transport apparatus to the inflatable article. 
     
     
         8 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector releasably attaches the storage and transport apparatus to the inflatable article. 
     
     
         9 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage and transport apparatus includes a carrying handle. 
     
     
         10 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes instructional indicia for apprising a user of storage and transportation system operations. 
     
     
         11 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes a drawstring and a biased mechanical actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes a zipper. 
     
     
         13 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes a hook panel and a corresponding loop panel. 
     
     
         14 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes a mechanical clasp. 
     
     
         15 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes a buckle. 
     
     
         16 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes mutually attractive permanent magnets. 
     
     
         17 . The storage and transportation system of  claim 4 , wherein the constriction system includes one or more tie strings. 
     
     
         18 . A method for reconfiguring a storage and transportation system, comprising:
 providing an inflatable article;   connecting a storage and transport apparatus to the inflatable article via a connector, the storage and transport apparatus including a closed end, an open end and a sidewall disposed between the open end and the closed end, the sidewall defining a first surface and a second surface, the open end defining an aperture;   defining a first cavity as being formed by the first surface and closed end when the storage and transportation system is disposed in a first position;   defining a second cavity as being formed by the second surface and closed end when the storage and transportation system is disposed in a second position; and   transitioning the storage and transportation system from the first position to the second position by passing the closed end and at least a portion of the inflatable article through the aperture, thereby forming the second cavity, and transitioning the storage and transportation system from the second position to the first position by passing the closed end and at least a portion of the inflatable article through the aperture, thereby forming the first cavity.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the connector and at least a portion of the inflatable article are disposed within the second cavity when the storage and transportation system is disposed in the second position, and wherein the first and second surfaces are disposed on opposite sides of the sidewall. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the storage and transport apparatus includes a constriction system for reducing a size of the aperture when the storage and transportation system is disposed in at least one of the first position and the second position.